Politics
UK’s Lib Dems say they scored on pubs’ added time
LONDON — England may not prevail against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca tonight, but the United Kingdom’s Liberal Democratic Party thinks it has already won the week.
The third-largest party in Westminster is claiming that it delivered late pub-closing times after pressuring Prime Minister Keir Starmer to pass a last-minute law allowing pubs to remain open and keep doling out the booze during the upcoming England World Cup match.
The pub schedule became a matter of national concern of national interest after England’s first knockout victory ensured the team would be playing late Sunday — a 1:00 am kickoff in Mexico City that might not wrap up until 3:45am London time, well past last call. Local Government Secretary Steve Reed had been urging local councils to allow later closing times but some held out.
The Lib Dems proposed a national solution that would avoid a patchwork of closing times, with Lib Dem lawmaker Max Wilkinson pressing Business Minister Kate Dearden in the House of Commons on Thursday to grant a last-minute licensing extension, over the objection of Business Minister Kate Dearden.
Starmer backtracked later in the day, announcing that he would keep pubs open until 5 a.m. — by tweaking licensing rules so establishments don’t need to ask councils first. “Football might be coming home but we’re making sure fans don’t have to,” Starmer said.
But it’s the Lib Dems who want voters to credit them for the change, with leader Ed Davey posting on social media that Starmer was acting on Wilkinson’s “suggestion to keep pubs open for the football.” Emboldened, the party is now pushing another cause — a knighthood for England striker Harry Kane, subject of a parliamentary motion introduced by MP Layla Moran.
Fresh off his controversial Trump invite, the Florida Republican says he’s trying to make a mark but not trying to challenge John Thune…
Read More
BRUSSELS — Belgian politicians and soccer officials were outraged Sunday after FIFA ditched a one-match ban for American star Folarin Balogun that would have ruled him out of the U.S.-Belgium World Cup round-of-16 matchup on Monday.
President Donald Trump immediately thanked FIFA on his Truth Social platform after the controversial decision was announced, for “for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Shortly after FIFA’s bombshell, the New York Times reported that Trump has called FIFA chief Gianni Infantino on Wednesday and asked him to review Balogun’s suspension.
Balogun was originally suspended for one match after being sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina during the first knockout round. While many soccer pundits thought the red card was harsh, there is little precedent for a player not serving a further suspension after being ordered off during a tournament.
In a statement Sunday, the world soccer governing body said: “In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.”
The Belgian football association said it was “astonished” by the decision to overturn the suspension. “In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options,” the association noted.
Senior politicians from across Belgium reacted with bafflement.
“True strength lies in winning with fair play (and by following all the rules). That’s what Belgium will do tomorrow. Full support for the Royal Belgian FA, which announced tonight that it is exploring all possibilities to protect the legitimate rights of all participants as well as the fundamental principles of fair play that govern soccer during this World Cup,” said Jacqueline Galant, Walloon sports minister from the French-speaking liberal Reformist Movement.
“Shame on you! When money calls the shots, the World Cup loses all credibility. Adapting the rules to please Trump, trying to cheat to win—what a deplorable image for FIFA, for the soccer World Cup, and for the United States. Rules must be respected by everyone, in sports as in life,” the opposition Socialist party said in a statement.
“Amazing how a red card suddenly becomes ‘unjust’ when Trump gets involved … FIFA must defend fairness, not give the impression of yielding to political pressures. See you on the pitch: the Devils’ victory will be all the more valuable,” added Yvan Verougstraete, a member of the European Parliament and president of the Francophone centrist Les Engagés party.
Camille Gijs contributed to this report.
Fresh off his controversial Trump invite, the Florida Republican says he’s trying to make a mark but not trying to challenge John Thune…
Read More
-
Politics1 year agoFormer ‘Squad’ members launching ‘Bowman and Bush’ YouTube show
-
The Dictatorship1 year agoLuigi Mangione acknowledges public support in first official statement since arrest
-
The Josh Fourrier Show2 years agoDOOMSDAY: Trump won, now what?
-
Politics1 year agoFormer Kentucky AG Daniel Cameron launches Senate bid
-
Uncategorized2 years ago
Bob Good to step down as Freedom Caucus chair this week
-
The Dictatorship1 year agoPete Hegseth’s tenure at the Pentagon goes from bad to worse
-
Politics1 year agoBlue Light News’s Editorial Director Ryan Hutchins speaks at Blue Light News’s 2025 Governors Summit
-
The Dictatorship10 months agoMike Johnson sums up the GOP’s arrogant position on military occupation with two words